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What Was New on Hulu in March 2018

By March 2018, Hulu operated as a joint venture among Disney–ABC Domestic Television, 21st Century Fox, and NBCUniversal, with its live and on-demand television library contin...

Mara Ellison
What Was New on Hulu in March 2018

Overview of Hulu in Early 2018

By March 2018, Hulu operated as a joint venture among Disney–ABC Domestic Television, 21st Century Fox, and NBCUniversal, with its live and on-demand television library continuing to expand. The platform balanced day-after access to broadcast series with a growing slate of originals and licensed film catalogs. In March 2018, Hulu added several notable new series episodes and films, while some long-running shows moved into new seasonal phases. Understanding what was new in March 2018 on Hulu requires looking at both fresh premieres and the evolving catalog available to subscribers.

Licensed Film Additions in March 2018

Hulu’s licensed film selection in March 2018 emphasized recent theatrical titles and catalog classics, with availability shaped by licensing windows and regional restrictions. In late February and early March, the service added newer theatrical releases, while also rotating in acclaimed catalog films. Below is a snapshot of notable film launches and their verifiable on-Hulu timeline, where public launch dates are documented.

Notable March 2018 Film Additions

Title U.S. Theatrical Release Verified Hulu Launch in the U.S. Availability Notes
Logan March 3, 2017 Late March 2018 Added after premium window, typical for superhero titles
Arrival November 11, 2016 March 2018 Joined licensed catalog after pay window
La La Land December 9, 2016 March 2018 Library addition post-awards season
10 Cloverfield Lane March 11, 2016 Late March 2018 Moved to licensed catalog after home window
Moonlight October 21, 2016 March 2018 Added following awards season and home release

These titles joined Hulu’s broader licensed film catalog, which changes regularly based on licensing agreements. Availability can vary by region and may be adjusted with short notice due to content agreements.

Notable Original Series Activity in March 2018

Original series on Hulu continued to build on early momentum in March 2018. Several series advanced their storylines through new season episodes, while Hulu also premiered at least one new original series in March 2018, expanding its scripted offering beyond marquee names like The Handmaid’s Tale. These additions complemented an already robust originals slate that emphasized drama, comedy, and documentary formats.

March 2018 Original Series Highlights

  • The Handmaid’s Tale (Season 1): Already available since June 2017, early episodes remained prominent in March 2018 discussions and binge-watching patterns.
  • GLOW (Season 1): Premiered in June 2017; by March 2018, the series was well-established and renewed for a second season, contributing to Hulu’s original momentum.
  • American Gods (Early promotion): While the series premiered in April 2017, behind-the-scenes content and marketing pushes in March 2018 helped sustain interest.
  • Shrill (Series Premiere):: Shrill premiered in March 2018, marking a significant addition to Hulu’s original comedy lineup and contributing to the service’s push into feature-driven single-camera comedies.

The addition of Shrill represented a deliberate strategy to broaden Hulu’s originals beyond established hits, targeting audiences interested in character-driven, mid-budget comedy with strong critical potential.

Daytime and Broadcast Add-Ons in March 2018

Hulu’s live TV add-ons continued to define its value proposition for cord-cutting viewers in March 2018. Subscribers could layer on networks for regional sports and broadcast channels, with particular relevance for next-day access to live programming. Several channels offered through Hulu + Live TV provided content that overlapped with the new and trending titles available on the on-demand service, creating a cohesive viewing ecosystem.

Key Live TV Add-Ons Commonly Used in March 2018

  • ESPN and regional sports packages
  • Local broadcast affiliates (where available)
  • AMC, Bravo, and FX for cable originals
  • News channels including CNN and MSNBC

These add-ons enabled Hulu to function as a robust cable alternative, with next-day access to news, sports, and entertainment that complemented its on-demand catalog.

Content Licensing and Availability Considerations

Content on Hulu in March 2018 was shaped by ongoing licensing agreements, which can introduce variability for viewers in different U.S. regions. Film and series availability might differ based on prior streaming windows, broadcast schedules, and publisher priorities. While Hulu maintained a consistent core of day-after broadcast programming, licensed films and niche series were more susceptible to rotation. Users relying on specific titles were encouraged to check the Hulu app or website for real-time availability, as licensing terms could change with short notice.

Platform Features and User Experience in Early 2018

By March 2018, Hulu’s interface emphasized continuity across devices, with updated content discovery features and a more consistent viewing experience. Key platform capabilities included robust parental controls, multiple user profiles, and cloud DVR for eligible Live TV subscribers. The introduction of Shrill and continued emphasis on original content signaled Hulu’s intent to compete with larger streaming libraries while maintaining its strengths in next-day broadcast and curated licensed films.

How March 2018 Fits Into Hulu’s Longer Trajectory

March 2018 represented an inflection point where Hulu balanced its broadcast heritage with a clearer push into originals and premium licensed film. The addition of series like Shrill and the inclusion of acclaimed licensed films such as Moonlight and Arrival illustrated a strategy of diversifying content depth beyond reality television and political news. This period also reinforced the role of add-on bundles in supporting cord-cutter expectations, setting the stage for further investment in originals and complex licensing negotiations in the years that followed.

Summary of March 2018 Additions on Hulu

In March 2018, Hulu expanded its appeal through a combination of new original series, licensed films from recent theatrical windows, and continued strength in next-day broadcast access. Key highlights included the premiere of Shrill, the addition of several award-season films to the licensed catalog, and stable performance of core Live TV add-ons. For viewers evaluating streaming options during this period, Hulu offered a balanced mix of timely content, reliable daily programming, and growing original depth, though regional licensing could affect what was available at any given time.

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